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The A-League has become the final Australian sporting domino to fall due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the competition postponed immediately. FFA chief executive James Johnson announced the decision on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after Newcastle defeated Melbourne City 2-1 at McDonald Jones Stadium. Johnson said the remainder of this year's season has been postponed after consultation with the national working committee for coronavirus, effectively halting the game at all levels in Australia. With only a few rounds remaining before the finals, the postponement decision will be reviewed on April 22. Johnson said increased protocols placed upon society such as states closing their borders to control the COVID-19 outbreak had made it untenable to continue the competition for now. "As a national competition played in all parts of Australia, as well as New Zealand, mission complicated became mission impossible," he said. Johnson said he "remained optimistic" the season may yet resume and be concluded but admitted it was "heartbreaking" for players and clubs for the league to be postponed so close to the end of the season. With all domestic and international football across the country now suspended, Johnson admitted the financial impacts will be drastic. "We will feel this. We will feel the financial pressure on the game at all levels," he said. "The game will survive ... will we need to make changes? Be different? I say yes."
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